Vogel Test

Vogel Test Apparatus or Vogel Test Anxiometer is used for screening of anxiolytic effects of drugs on small laboratory animals like mice and rat.

The Vogel test is a conflict test has become a standard for fast screening the potential anxiolytic properties of drugs. In this procedure, the drinking behaviour is punished by mild electrical shocks leading to a significant reduction of water consumption in deprived animals. Drinking responses are then re-established by drugs with anxiolytic properties.

Vogel test consists of a standard home cage for mice as well as rat associated with a grid floor. An electronic unit associated with a special nipple ensures the detection and counting of the licks reflecting the animal drinking behaviour.

Orchid’s Vogel Test Apparatus is designed to induce anxiety within a subject and monitor the degree of drug effect by the administration of a mild shock after 20 licks on a sipper tube. The shock is delivered through the sipper tube and is maintained for a selectable duration of 0.25 to 2.0 seconds. The intensity of shock is user adjustable. With the onset of the initial shock, Anxiometer begins a three minute testing session during which the total number of licks and shocks (administered with every 20th lick) is recorded on front panel counters. The performance of anti-anxiety drugs can be measured by comparing the drinking behaviour of punished drugged rats to the behaviour of punished non-drugged rats.